How to Build Your Own Air Conditioner

Co-authored by Victor Belavus

Last Updated: February 17, 2022 Approved

Air conditioning uses up 20 percent of the electricity used in the U.S. To reduce your use of air conditioning and help the environment, you can build an conditioner with either a box fan and a cooler or with a box fan and a radiator. Follow these instructions to build your own air conditioner.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Build an Air Conditioner with a Box Fan and a Cooler

1
Remove the front gridded panel of the fan.
2
Wrap 1/4" (6mm) diameter copper tubing around in concentric circles, starting at the center of the exterior side of the panel. This tubing has an inner diameter of 1/4" (6mm) and an outer diameter of about 3/8" (9.5 mm).
- First, attach one end of the tubing to the center of the panel using zip ties.
- Wrap the tubing around in larger and larger concentric circles, leaving spaces between the circles of about 3/8" (9.5 mm). Connect the tubing to the panel with zip ties.
Advertisement
3
Re-attach the panel to the fan.
4
Connect one end of a piece of 3/8" (9.5 mm) clear plastic tubing to a fountain pump. This tubing has an inner diameter of 3/8" (9.5 mm) and an outer diameter of about 1/2" (12 mm).
5
Connect the other end to either end of the copper tubing. Slip the plastic tubing over the copper tubing and clamp it on with a hose clamp.
6
Connect another piece of plastic tubing to the other end of the copper tubing using a hose clamp.
7
Fill a cooler with ice water. Stick the end of the piece of tubing that is not connected to the fountain pump into the bottom of the cooler.
8
Put the fountain pump in the cooler, submerged in the ice water.
9
Lay a towel under the fan to catch the condensation that drips from the copper tubing.
10
Plug in the fountain pump and turn on the fan.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Build an Air Conditioner Using a Recycled Radiator

1
Clean your radiator before you use it. You can soak it in water and mild soap and then let it air dry.
2
Place a high-speed fan behind the radiator. You may have to place some objects under the radiator to line it up with the fan.
3
Attach a garden hose to a spigot on the exterior of your house.
4
Connect the vinyl tubing to the inlet tube on your radiator. You may have to try a couple of sizes to find the right size of tubing that will fit over the copper tubing from your radiator. The tube length should be long enough to connect with the garden hose outside.
5
Feed the tubing through a window and attach the tubing to the spout end of your garden hose with duct tape. You may need to cut a small hole in your window screen to make this work.
6
Coil your garden hose up and wrap it in a towel for insulation. Wrap pipe insulation around the exposed end to keep the water cold.
7
Attach another length of plastic tubing to the outlet tube of your radiator.
- Thread the tubing upward through your window so that the water is expelled onto your roof or into your gutters.
- If you expel water onto your roof, then you'll need to make sure that the overflow hitting the ground doesn't flood your basement. Try placing a large plastic garbage can beneath the stream to catch the water, and recycle the water in your garden.
8
Attach a small hand valve to the plastic inlet tubing that goes into the radiator.
- Cut the plastic inlet tubing to leave a 6" (15 cm) stub attached to the copper inlet tube of the radiator.
- Attach the end that releases water to the stub of inlet tube.
- Connect the side that pulls in water to the tube that's connected to your garden hose.
9
Open the hand valve completely. On the outside of your house, open the garden hose spigot to find the right water flow volume.
10
Plug in the fan and turn it on. When you're ready to switch off your homemade air conditioner, close the hand valve and unplug your fan.

Community Q&A

Question

Is there any harm to be aware of when making the homemade air conditioner?

Dvortygirl

Community Answer

The devices described in this article aren't true air conditioners. They're really just heat exchangers. Other than keeping your fingers out of the fans and generally working safely, the main thing to be aware of is managing moisture. Make sure any water circulating, along with any condensation, is captured and doesn't get into carpet, flooring, etc.

Warnings

If you don't own your own home, then make sure you discuss expelling water onto your roof or into your gutters with your landlord. Be prepared to repair or replace your window screen when you move out.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 50 Not Helpful 29
Water and electricity don't mix.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 42 Not Helpful 29